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PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT, 1949.
During the year a Rodent Investigating Officer and three
operators were engaged on control of rat infestation at dwellinghouses
and other premises and of the sewers in the Borough.
The Council provides this service to the occupiers of all dwellinghouses
free of charge ; industrial and business premises are dealt
with at the request of the proprietors who pay the full cost of any
disinfestation undertaken at their premises.
1,268 premises were inspected during the year for rat and mice
infestation, and of these 542 were found to be affected.
The total number of treatments carried out by the Department
(including domestic, business and factory premises, and re-infestations)
was 395.
During the year the Public Health Inspectors and Rodent
Investigating Staff made 4,801 visits concerning rat infestation.
All the sewers in the Borough have been systematically examined
and the Ministry's scheme for the extermination of rats in
sewers has been closely followed. During the investigations 325
manholes were examined and 446 pre-baits and 133 poison-baits
were laid. The necessary follow-up treatment continues so that the
rat population of the sewers may be kept under control.
ERADICATION OF BED BUGS
Number of Council Houses found to be infested 10
Number of Council houses disinfested 10
Number of other houses found to be infested 19
Number of other houses disinfested 19
Householders are urged to seek the assistance of the Health
Department immediately they suspect the presence of bugs or
similar pests.